Many feared dead after huge explosion near Bogoso

Ghana blast: Many feared dead after huge explosion near Bogoso

At least 17 people have been killed in a huge explosion near a mining town in south-western Ghana, officials say.

Police say a vehicle carrying mining explosives collided with a motorcycle near the town of Bogoso.

Images shared by local media showed a large plume of black smoke rising above destroyed buildings and scattered debris as residents call for help.

Graphic videos showed mutilated bodies of victims. A large crater can also be seen beside a road.

"It's almost like a ghost town now," Sedzi Sadzi Amedonu, a senior official from the country's disaster management agency, told the AFP news agency.

He said about 500 houses were affected - some of which were completely destroyed - in Appiatse between Bogoso and the village of Bawdie.

At least 59 people were injured, some of whom were in a critical condition, Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said.

Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo said the military had joined emergency efforts to help "contain the situation", and "rapid relief" was being sent to residents.

"It is a truly sad, unfortunate and tragic incident," he tweeted.

Rescue efforts were under way and people have been told to move out of the area.

Police called on nearby towns to "open up their classrooms, churches etc to accommodate surviving victims".

"We continue to urge the public to remain calm as we manage the situation."

A team of police and army explosion experts were deployed to "avoid a second explosion" and secure the scene, the government said.

The vehicle was carrying explosives to the Chirano gold mine about 140km (90 miles) from the scene of the blast.

Gold is one of Ghana's main exports.

Source: BBC